With pre-registration ending in a few days, we’re sure many of you are scrambling to fill your schedules for next semester. But fear not – the Editorial Board is here. Whether you’re searching for something to satisfy your distribution requirement or looking for a cool elective, this group of wise seers knows what’s best for you.So here it is: our unscientific survey of the most intriguing spring 2008 classes.PORT-009: Portuguese for Spanish Speakers, Prof. Michael FerreiraThere are few things in life as rewarding as learning a foreign language, but unfortunately doing so frequently requires years of practice and intensive study. Georgetown, however, offers this unique course that is aimed toward teaching those proficient in Spanish to speak Portuguese at an intermediate level in just one semester.Professor Michael Ferreira is no doubt one of the reasons for the class’ recent popularity explosion. Hilarious, original and brilliant, Professor Ferreira’s class is nothing short of extraordinary. The amount of Portuguese Ferreira is able to teach his students in just the first few weeks is astounding. What is perhaps even more impressive and exciting is how painless he makes learning a new language by constantly spicing up class with jokes and games, all of which are, of course, in Portuguese.Students are frequently so taken with the class that many of them meet once a week with Professor Ferreira just to shoot the breeze in Portuguese.USC-116: Jazz History, Prof. Patrick Warfieldartin Luther King Jr. once wrote, “Jazz speaks for life.” Jazz is one of America’s greatest cultural achievements. This unique, artistic medium has given voice to the American experience and been an outlet for some of America’s most creative musical minds. For a chance to learn more about this important musical genre with an engaging teacher, take History of Jazz with Professor Warfield. This class looks at the history of jazz styles from 1900 to the present, and introduces such jazz greats as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. As entertaining as the topic of this class is, students should know that this class is no floater course. As can be expected, there are a lot of listening assignments. Be prepared to devote space on your iPod to jazz, as you will have to be able to recognize many songs for exams. Most students that have taken this class, however, will argue that the work is enriching. Professor Warfield is entertaining and makes class enjoyable.COSC-011: Introduction to Information Privacy, Prof. Matthew DevostPersonal computers globally networked through the Internet represent one of the most powerful forces in today’s world. Introduction to Information Privacy will give students the practical and theoretical grounding to understand the increased importance of digital technologies in society. Though primarily focused on privacy and the implications of massive data processing and retention, this course provides a survey of information warfare, cryptography and hacking. COSC-011 is accessible to non-technical students and the classes are entertaining and educational. News of cyberwar, massive identity theft or political hacking seems to be increasing, but the technical nature of the news can make this quickly evolving field seem incomprehensible to many. Fortunately, students have the opportunity to explore the exciting intersection of law, technology and politics in this introductory course.GERM-043: Gateway: Witches in History, Myth and Fiction, Jens KugeleThe English requirement is one of those dreaded distribution requirements that most of us try to fill as quickly and painlessly as possible. One class, however, though sometimes dealing with pain, doesn’t inflict it on students. Gateway: Witches is unique in that though it fulfills an English requirement, it is taught by a member of the German department. This may seem weird at first, but the principles of good writing are the same in any language, and sometimes hearing a different department’s – or even a different culture’s – explanation of how to improve your writing can be really helpful.This class is great for students who have already read many of the classic texts English courses are so frequently centered around. If you’ve read enough Homer, Sophocles, Shakespeare and Hemingway for one lifetime, why not read about witch trials in Europe, the Salem witch trials in New England and the description of witches in literature like the Grimm fairy tales.ARTS-160: Digital Art, Prof. Collier HyamsIf you are looking for a class that values creative individuality while teaching you valuable life skills, consider taking Digital Art. You do not need to be a computer whiz or an excellent artist to take this class. Through a variety of programs, the class introduces you to the techniques and aesthetics of visual arts. Do not be deterred from taking this class if you are not particularly technologically inclined; the lessons are not onerous, and Professor Hyams will be willing to work with you one on one.Past class projects have included such fun assignments as creating your own personal logo, reproducing famous artists’ pieces on the computer and making submissions for the Georgetown Day T-shirt design contest. The skills you pick up during this class are valuable; many of the students who take this class find themselves using their new talents, such as creating a simple Web page, well after the term is over.THEO-131: Interreligious Encounter and Dialogue, Fr. Dennis McManus, Rabbi Harold White and Imam Yahya HendiA rabbi, an imam and a priest walk into a classroom. It sounds at first like a bad joke, but really it’s just Georgetown.Even though we appreciate Georgetown’s Jesuit heritage, many of the classes offered in the theology department are intimidating for the religious novice. Interreligious Dialogue offers a broader survey than just Christian teachings. Given the expertise that each professor brings from his respective religion, a class with any one of these theologians would be a must-take.When you combine their expertise in a course that focuses on common understanding across faiths, you end up with a class that is uniquely Georgetown. For the Georgetown student who would rather think in terms of mutual understanding than clash of civilizations, this class is definitely worth the waitlist.”